Kitchen walls and cabinets don't need to be the same color, but that certainly doesn't mean they can't. In fact, it can create an alluring, uniform look! Kitchen cabinets naturally draw the eye with the amount of space they cover.
Paint everything the same color.
That's right, everything: the cabinets, the walls — even the ceiling if you want to really commit. We've documented before how painting furniture the same color as the wall can make a space look bigger, and also give cabinetry and shelves a built-in look.
Cabinets can serve as a beautiful contrast to the wall color, or for a cohesive look, try painting both surfaces the same shade. Suzanne Kasler used the same bright blue on the cabinets, the walls, and even the range hood in a kitchen at a Maine compound. There's also no need to stick with one color.
There's no rule that states cabinets need to be lighter or darker than walls or that they have to match it but depends more so on what kind of effect or mood you're going for. Light colors can make a space feel bright, clean, and timeless while darker colors can make a strong statement that instantly grabs attention.
Regardless of what you read below, if you decide to mix and match whites, your BEST chance will be to use a TRUE WHITE on trim/cabinets and a white with a lower LRV on the walls – don't do it the other way around unless you're a hardcore pro, and even then…don't do it.
The kitchen wall color is one of the strongest determining factors of how a cook space looks and feels, but the cabinet colors are just as important. They should complement the walls, as well as the floor color, appliances, and countertops.
As a simple rule, kitchen cabinets should always match trim as much as they can. Any contrast that you intentionally create should not necessarily be a striking contrast. It's important to try to create a sense of unity among the different elements being tied together to avoid making the contrast appear accidental.
Is Cabinet Paint Different From Wall Paint? Oil-based paint and latex-based paint differ primarily in the final texture and drying time of kitchen cabinets. Additionally, latex paint with a low or no VOC will have a significantly less offensive odor as it cures, so you won't have to worry about it.
Solid wood, laminate, and metal are the best materials for your type of cabinets. Cabinet paints can be used to give your cabinet a smooth finish, but you should use a high-quality paint. Vinyl is not the best choice for your paint. Paint made from acrylic latex is easy to clean and durable.
The two primary differences between oil-based paint and latex-based paint on kitchen cabinets are final texture and dry time. Oil-based is more traditional and popular with purists who like the “painterly” look of brush marks, while latex gives a more consistent finish.
While there are many types of paint to choose from, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.
If you have an off-white or warm white in your countertop, then you'll want to look at warm white paint colours for your cabinets. It's also important that the undertones suit each other. So, if the white in your countertop is warm with a touch of yellow – your cabinet's white should follow suit.
Instead, you might want to customize your colors to create a unique and harmonious look. To do this, the trim (or crown moldings or baseboards) or cabinets can be painted or replaced. For a matching, more uniform look, all of the kitchen cabinets and trim should be the same style and color.
Crown molding should match the cabinets, as a general rule of thumb, if it is primarily placed above the cabinets, or if cabinets circle the entire room. Paint the trim. If the trim carries on past the cabinets into a larger space, then paint it to match the other moldings in the room.
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
Dark surfaces absorb light; white lighter surfaces reflect light. Dark countertops help to complement painted cabinets that are so on trend today in blue and green tones. Dark countertops are a perfect complement to white cabinets to achieve a classic look.
Kitchen cabinets do not have to match. Your kitchen and your cabinets can look however you want them to look. If you prefer them to match, they can. Or if you prefer to add variety, then they don't have to.
Yes, you can mix wood and white trim in the same house (or, even, in the same room)! Mixing painted and stained trim is completely doable, as long as you keep these tips in mind.
If you are building and have chosen white cabinets, I recommend painting the trim, ceiling and doors the SAME white. If your existing trim/cabinets/etc… white doesn't actually suit your room and its hard finishes (countertop, tile, etc…)
Many people tend to clean their kitchens more often when they have white kitchens because stains can conceal easily. Our tendency to clean white cabinets has been increased due to the fact that stains are more easily spotted than those on darker cabinets.
White Kitchens Can Feel Cold
Keeping it stark and bright is a way to give an illusion of space and luminosity. A large all-white kitchen is too much of a good thing. Creating a vast expanse of color-free cabinets, counters and fixtures can easily make the heart of your home look more like an exam room.
The paint is applied unevenly. So, if you want a factory-grade finish, choose to spray your kitchen cabinets instead of rolling them. In addition to providing a higher-quality final finish, spray painting is faster than using a roller.